Wind-Farmer was saying that the overall diameter of the tire and wheel is going to be the same with these sizes regardless of the wheel size being 18" or 20". However the side wall is going to be smaller or smaller on each since you've got more wheel and less tire.
Yes...they did stick out just a tad...maybe 1/2 inch. They were M&H Racemaster DRs 325/45/17. The rear rims were 17s deep dish 10.5. Even back then, car had very little street use, 10-15 miles per week in 25-35 speed zones, so it was OK using the M&H DRs, even on wet roads. They are a very sticky tire, much better than Nittos and the car was running low 11s with them on a smaller turbo at that time. But the stickier the tire, the less efficient at evacuating water. Would not recommend for a true all-weather highway-speed daily driver. Doesn't count coz not a street application, but here's a staggered look from last year's race season> Pic taken summer 2008... engine blew up around November 08.